The homeschooling journey of the Siever family. Discussion, musings and thoughts. Opinions and exciting or non exciting trampings. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 26 May 2008 08:00:00 -0500 Mon, 26 May 2008 08:00:00 -0500 We are winding down school stuff, but still have stuff on the go. Regan is taking pottery classes, Sinéad still has sewing lessons and they have their stuff at the Y. We are reading much, working on grammar and math and spelling and just finished a play with our school board. There was a Science Project fair on Friday and Regan exhibited on the Ankylosaurus while Sinéad presented about butterflies.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/538024/ Mon, 26 May 2008 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/538024/ I get it!!!  TJEd (sort of got it before, liked it, etc, but now I REALLY get it!) I will write more later, but I am on a new amazing journey of education for my children and I am growing leaders... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/532611/ Thu, 15 May 2008 09:34:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/532611/ Starting Sunday afternoon, it got very cold and the snow started coming down which necessitated much shoveling (over and over) and by Monday morning we were in a deep freeze. We are now smack dab in the middle of it. It's supposed to stay very cold until Wednesday and get warmer Thursday (oh please please). I know many love the snow. I used to, as a child, and then I had children who resisted putting mittens and toques and such, on. Of course this lasts only through toddlerhood and as they age they realise this isn't a punishment but a necessity to not freeze. The cold here is drier than it was in Vancouver, growing up. Right now, we are almost at -40 with the windchill. Staying warm is important. On Sunday evening , Pres Gordon B Hinckley, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saints, passed away. I shall miss him, his compassion, his sense of humour, his patience, his love for the members, his love for the Saviour and his Father in Heaven. I am glad that he is once more reunited with his wife. But I will miss him. He was a great man and a true servant of the Lord. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/470526/ Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:48:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/470526/ So today I was frustrated as my 6.5 year old son really resists writing. Well of course he does! He is a boy, and before that sounds sexist (I am aware you homeschoolers won't think so, or any parents won't really think so), what I mean is, boys generally have a different learning style. And Regan is that 'typical' boy who has a great imagination and likes hands on and though he does enjoy reading, he prefers 'doing'. I was given some good ideas on how to work with him at his level and not expect him to soar too fast (like his older sister has done, pretty much effortlessly) but to change how we do a few things. Copywork for one, instead of having him make up his own stories right now (on paper. He would rather draw them out, which is fine, I just think he needs to practice writing!) and verbal narration (read something to him or read it together and have him narrate it back to me). This will take time and patience. His printing is slowly improving, but still needs lots of work (you know, writing letters backwards, not terribly neatly, often too close together altogether, mispelling and not checking that). He is really doing great in math though, and he does enjoy reading and loves creating, so we use that to help him. The day will come when he will like writing. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/458323/ Wed, 9 Jan 2008 14:54:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/458323/ I know that it is forever since I have posted anything here and my goal is to change that. I have plans for this year, for our homeschooling as well as for us as a family and for myself as an individual. We have had a few weeks off and don't get back to schoolwork until next Monday. I am using this time to plan and to organise our homeschool stuff (and wish I had more SPACE). Our Christmas was lovely with Kim's parents joining us for the celebration of the birth of Christ and the festivities. Our New Year's Eve was quiet. Today, the first day of 2008, was a cleaning, recycling and a bit more organising day. I have the homeschool cart on my list of things to clean. I am not sure I will get to it. But there is always tomorrow (yes, I know famous procrastinator words). The children are doing so well in everything they work at. Sinéad progresses in violin and Regan in guitar. Their teachers are wonderful and inform me that they are both doing really well. It isn't important to us that they excel, but that they enjoy, work hard and learn. Most importantly that they love what they do. Everything else progresses too. Sinéad will start sewing lessons next week. She is oh so excited. This was our birthday gift to her. She turns 9 on 12 January. Regan has nothing else planned yet, outside of the Y classes and guitar lessons. I am contemplating either soccer again (though the late evening soccer class doesn't really appeal and so we will probably wait on that) or perhaps an art class. Kim would like Sinéad to join a swim club, but she isn't too sure about that. Right now, we are in a bit of recovery mode from the last few months. Sinéad was a mouse and a Russian dancer in The Nutcracker. There were 6 performances the first week of December and it was absolutely wonderful! Regan finished up soccer through the university S.A.L.T.S programme and we may do it again. He isn't very assertive in his playing, but he does like soccer. But perhaps something else will be more appealing. We found that with music. He tried the violin but just wasn't into it. The guitar was a whole other story! Aisling is growing so much. She is 27 months and says prayers and repeats the Articles of Faith with us and does her own work. She got a magna doodle and an aqua doodle for Christmas and loves them. She also got doll paraphernelia (stroller, swing, high chair, etc) she absolutely loves to play with! She is a resourceful little 2 year old and I can hardly believe that she might be old enough and ready to do ballet next September, just before she turns 3! She seems so little to me now, but doesn't think so. I realise that some may have given up on reading this blog, but hope to get people to come back (the few that have probably read it). Happy New Year to all! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/453710/ Tue, 1 Jan 2008 18:51:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/453710/ Alright, yes I know, very delinquent and some of you (whoever might be reading this) are wondering, what could POSSIBLY be keeping her from posting? Well this is short, my toddler (now actively walking and with that scraping her knees) needs me. We are in the flow of "summer session" which means limited school work and lots of other activities. Next week Ready Set Read starts at the library, as does Trailblazers at the Nature Centre. We have already had some hikes in, enjoyed swimming (Sinéad is almost finished Swimmer [through the YMCA] and Regan is nearly through Seal) and plan on a hopefully fun long weekend for Canada Day. Sunday is the day, but we won't celebrate it that day as that is the Lord's day. However Saturday and Monday are totally up for fun!  We are thinking Warner, to check out the dinosaurs? Perhaps! Looking into that. And next week (yes very excited) I can start ordering curricula for the new school year. It's all ready to go! And yes, I have most of my funding already earmarked. Sinéad also got a part in The Nutcracker being put on by her wonderful ballet teacher, so she has two extra ballet classes to attend from September to the end of November. The performances are the beginning of December. She is a mouse and is doing the Russian Dance. Very exciting.   Regan starts guitar lessons, Sinéad is going to be back doing violin and well life just keeps on.   But first, summer. In August we go to Vancouver for my brother Rob's wedding. From now until then, we have fun running, learning sign Language, going to the library and nature centre and doing some regular schoolwork to keep up. And swimming when there is time (2 weeks of lessons mid July). http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/349117/ Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:25:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/349117/ The snow is melting now, but we had LOTS of it. I know it wasn't as bad as in some other areas of the continent, but still. Since last time, Sinéad has been baptised and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was a wonderful special day and occurred on 27 January. My dad and Kim's parents were able to come out for it. And my mum and two youngest siblings who live here were at it as well. Sinéad is also now officially finished Gamma in Math U See. So we are progressing to Delta. Yes, very exciting. Regan is reading lots now, and learning new words very well. Aisling is climbing more and more and continues to think she is a few years older than her actual 16 months. Another exciting event in our household was the birth of three kittens in Tuesday 13 February. They are grey, black and tabby grey/black respectively. We need to find a home for our non female cat, Diego. That is proving more difficult. On Wednesday we went to Aggie Days Oh it was a blast! The children learned so much, got to experience a lot of wonderful agricultural activities. Saw a cow being milked, a sheep being sheared, baby chicks, pigs, miniature horses, a goat, calves.  Learned how potatoes and canola oil are produced, grown and used and to climb up on big farm machinery. It really was a great educational experience for my city (albeit small city) bred children. We are surrounded by a huge agricultural area, but don't experience it often enough. It was good. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/286431/ Fri, 16 Feb 2007 14:21:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/286431/ Sinéad had her FIRST ACTIVITY DAY last night! Ok, for you non LDS you won't see what the excitement is about, but in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, when girls turn 8 they are able to attend a twice monthly activity at the Church called Activity Days. They do different activities to help them learn the Articles of Faith and work on their Faith in God (information on that programme can be found here.) It's a lot of fun and lots of learning and my baby is growing up. All my babies are. Regan can't wait to be a cub. He thinks now Sinéad has started Activity Days he should be going, He COULD be going to Beavers, but we are in enough already. Time enough for the scouting programme in a couple of years. Aisling is into everything even MORE. Didn't know that was possible. We are having a pretty good week. Regan is reading! He is finished his second story in his reader and is writing his numbers much more neatly and right way around (well, most of the time, anyway). Sinéad finished reading The Magician's Nephew and will move onto The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. She loves them. I knew she would. She didn't believe me. Currently I am reading Kim for the third time (though it has been a number of years). Ok, baby is taking apart the lower homeschool shelf, argh. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/267493/ Thu, 11 Jan 2007 10:14:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/267493/ Well, the New Year is upon us (has it been OVER a month since I posted? yikes)! We ended up the month with a break a few days before Christmas. Kim was home for two weeks and we had lots of fun, enjoyed the spiritual nature of Christmas and celebrated the birth of our Saviour in a wonderful way. Now, back to the grind. But it's not a grind, is it? Regan is beginning grade 1 stuff (reading and math). He learned to read his first page of his reader today! woohoo! I think it will be a slightly slower process than with Sinéad (who took off with reading like a shot. I didn't have to do any teaching at all, really. Just pointed her in the right direction). Sinéad is almost finished Gamma (Math U See), only a few lessons left. They are halfway through Book 1 of the Story of the World and we are doing lots of other fun stuff. I got The Well Educated Mind for Christmas, oh I was so excited! I plan on incorporating much more TJeD this year, mostly into my own life first. We have fun field trips planned this month and the children look forward to the last half of the school year. Sinéad is 8 next week and is baptised at the end of the month (27th), Regan turns 6 in January. Aisling is just doign so much (climbing is one of her favourite things right about now, sigh). Hope everyone has a wonderful, prosperous, adventurous and educational New Year! Think of the Possibilities! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/262776/ Tue, 2 Jan 2007 17:56:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/262776/ On Wednesday we had a field trip through our homeschool support group, to Save On Foods. The children had a great time and learned some stuff, although they (mine at least, and others I am sure) actually know a little more about nutrition then the tour guide. Of course she may have been trying to keep it basic. But the "protein" food group was focussed on meat. And well, ok, *I* am the vegetarian in the family and my children are not, but they are aware of what protein is, how it is used and what most of the sources are, and not only meat. Kind of disappointing in that. Another thing was, when she was asking what fruits and vegetables have that we need someone said "Vitamins". Ok, that's correct of course. Then "breads and cereals" (I prefer grains, she only addressed wheat. Like I said, basic basic, below basic, in my opinion), someone again said "vitamins" and she said, "No, it starts with "e"". Meaning, energy of course, which is correct. Simple carbohydrates. However, grains DO have other nutrients; vitamins and minerals. I am half tempted to offer a nutrition class for children. I am a Nutritional Consultant, educated, yes, in nutrition. Anyway, it was still fun and good and great of the store to do it for us. Yesterday was busy YMCA day for Sinéad (and we waited, went to the library and read and Aisling had a nap, woohoo; she needed it). This morning was busy too, Regan's class, to the church for me to practise a song I am singing with two other women in our ward, and now home and lots to do (make bread, vacuum, clean, yoga). Thank goodness today is a not much school day. Both children were done pretty much all they needed done this week by yesterday. Sinéad had one practise math page and they had some reading on Arctic animals. That was it! Easily complete. Oh yes, grocery shopping last night and the chiropractor. Whew. Long day. Tonight Kim and I have our first Christmas party of the season. Children are spending the evening with Grandma. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/248359/ Fri, 1 Dec 2006 13:04:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kmsiever/248359/